How to Replace the Brake Pads on a '95 Monte Carlo

The 1995 Chevy Monte Carlo features a similar chassis and braking system to its GM cousins, the Chevy Lumina, the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and the Buick Regal. All featuring front brake pads and rotors, these vehicles also were offered with either rear brake pads and rotors or rear brake shoes and drums. These vehicles have a history of rear caliper problems, especially among owners who did not use the parking brake. The cables would seize, causing the rear pads to drag and prematurely wear out. GM later refined the rear disc brake system.

Instructions

Front Brake Pads Replacement

1

Make sure the Monte Carlo is parked on a level surface and then remove 2/3 of the brake fluid from the reservoir on the driver's side firewall of the engine compartment using a clean baster utensil. Dispose of the fluid and then replace the reservoir cover.

2

Wedge the wheel bracing device behind one of the rear tires. Apply the parking brake.

3

Back the wheel nuts slightly away from the two front rims using the tire iron.

4

Hoist the front end of the Monte Carlo up with a jack and then support the car on jack stands. Completely remove the wheel nuts and tires.

5

Use the caliper piston compression clamp, placing it over the housing of the caliper to slowly squeeze the dual pistons inward until they bottom out evenly in the caliper housing.

6

Remove the two caliper slide bolts from the caliper using a combination wrench. Remove the caliper and pads assembly and use the bungee cord to hang the caliper to the front chassis. Be sure there is no tension on the brake hose.

7

Use the screwdriver to pry the retaining tabs on the outer pad located on the outer caliper housing. Pull the dual clipped inner pad upward away from the caliper pistons. Be sure the rubber boots on the caliper pistons are correctly seated and not protruding from the caliper pistons. Slightly lift the boots if necessary to release any trapped air inside of them.

8

Use the screwdriver to pry the old pad clips from the anchor mount and discard them with the old pads. Use the wire brush to clean off the rust and dirt on the mating surfaces of the caliper housing and the anchor mount.

9

Apply an even coat of caliper grease on the mating surfaces of both the caliper housing and the anchor mount. Apply a light coat of caliper grease to the brake pad tab seats on the replacement pad clips and install them onto the anchor mount.

10

Push the new inner brake pad retaining clips into the caliper pistons. Be sure the inner pad is seated flush against the pistons. Install the outer pad by gently prying the retaining clips over the outer caliper housing.

11

Remove the caliper from the bungee cord and then reinstall it over the brake rotor. Replace the caliper slide bolts and tighten them to 24-foot pounds with the foot-pound adjustable torque ratchet and a socket and then replace the brake pads on the other front wheel.

12

Replace the tires and wheel nuts. Tighten the wheel nuts with the tire iron in an alternate star pattern so the rims are tight to the wheel hub. Lower the Monte Carlo slowly and then torque the wheel nuts employing the same star pattern with the foot-pound torquing wrench set at 100-foot pounds and a socket.

13

Pump the foot brake pedal until it feels firm and then refill the reservoir with brake fluid. Release the parking brake and remove the wheel bracing device before test driving the Monte Carlo.

Rear Brake Pads Replacement

14

Perform Steps 1 and 2 as illustrated in Section 1 except do not apply the parking brake, and place the wheel bracing device in front of one of the front tires.

15

Perform Steps 3 and 4 as described in Section 1 on the rear tires and rear axle of the Monte Carlo and then unfasten the bolt and washer attached to the cable support bracket on the rear caliper assembly with a combination wrench. This will allow the caliper to pivot up and down enough to remove the brake pads. Do not disconnect the parking brake cable from the caliper parking brake lever.

16

Remove the lower sleeve bolt with a combination wrench and then pivot the caliper upward. Remove the outer pad as described in Section 1. The rear caliper has only one piston. Compress this piston using two pairs of adjustable pliers placed against the outer caliper housing and the backing plate tabs of the inner pad and then remove the inner brake pad by pulling out its retaining clip from the caliper piston.

17

Perform Steps 8 through 13 as illustrated in Section 1 to replace the old pad clips and brake pads and reverse the slight procedural differences in Section 2 to restore the rear braking system and wheel assemblies.